Mr. Speaker, Alberta is the only province with a law requiring the election of senators. It has every right to ask the Prime Minister to respect its opinion.
The Senate today is a functioning part of the parliamentary law making process in Canada. The outdated anachronism of Senate porky patronage appointments is unconscionable and must end because senators today, while not elected, are making key decisions on everything from human rights legislation to the Bank Act.
Last Thursday the Prime Minister said: "I will name a senator who I will choose and who will represent my party in the House of Commons". He also said: "At a time when the senators are all Tories and the House of Commons is building legislation to be
passed, I will use my privilege and exercise my duty to name a senator who will respect the will of the House of Commons".
The Prime Minister clearly shows his aggressive arrogance on this issue when he indicates his belief that the Senate is not for Canadians but is his tool to give the Liberal Party supporters patronage appointments.